NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Powered by a pair of home runs, Belmont Softball was able to snap its longest skid of the season with a win at home on Monday afternoon. The Bruins (31-20, 7-12 OVC) edged out Southeast Missouri State (22-26, 7-13 OVC), 6-5, in a make up game at E.S. Rose Park.
The Redhawks recorded two runs in the top of the first but BU was able to answer back in its half of the same frame. Sophomore Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) reached on four balls and was moved to third base with a sacrifice bunt and a ground out. Junior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) poked a single up the middle to trim the SEMO lead to one run. Belmont would go on to take the lead for the first time in the contest in the bottom of the second inning. Junior Jess Andree (Darien, Ill.) was sent to first base behind four balls before sophomore Jordan Spicer (Hendersonville, Tenn.) smashed her fourth home run of the season over the centerfield fence, scoring two runs.
The back and forth battle continued into the top of the third frame as Southeast Missouri State went on to add two more to take a one-run advantage, 4-3. The Bruins fired back in the bottom of the fourth inning, using a double by Spicer and a pair singles by freshman Brooklin Lee (Burns, Tenn.) and Cook to knot the score, 4-4. SEMO fired back in the top of the next inning to go up by one run, 5-4, with a solo home run. However, the Bruins would not be denied.
In the bottom of the fifth frame, BU went on to grab the lead for good. Rouse again singled up the middle before senior Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.) knocked a home run over the right fence to give Belmont the slim 6-5 lead. The Bruin defense turned up the heat in the top of the sixth to halt the contest from being tied again but could not net an insurance run in its half of the same inning. Belmont saw Rouse shine in the circle to secure the victory as pop ups caught by Cook, sophomore Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas) and Andree ended the contest in the top of the seventh.
Spicer was flawless at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double and a home run. Cook went 2-for-3 at the plate with a run and an RBI.
Inside the circle, freshman Abby Irwin (Nolesnville, Tenn.) and Rouse shared time, combining for seven strikeouts in the win.
Belmont will return to action at E.S. Rose Park with its home finale this weekend. The Bruins host crosstown rival Tennessee State for a doubleheader on Friday, beginning at 4 p.m.
